Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats

The Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) mission[4] is a NASA constellation of six small satellites, 3U CubeSat, that will measure temperature and moisture profiles and precipitation in tropical systems with unprecedented temporal frequency. This data will enable scientists to study the dynamic processes that occur in the inner core of the storm resulting in rapid genesis and intensification.[5] William Blackwell of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, Massachusetts is the principal investigator.[6][7] The constellation will be delivered to orbit on three launches in June and July 2022.[1]

Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats
TROPICS satellites
NamesTROPICS
Mission typeEarth observation
OperatorNASA
Websitehttps://science.nasa.gov/missions/tropics
Mission duration1 year (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftTROPICS
Spacecraft type3U CubeSat
BusBlue Canyon Technologies
ManufacturerMIT Lincoln Laboratory
Launch mass5.34 kg (11.8 lb)
Dimensions10 × 10 × 36 cm (3.9 × 3.9 × 14.2 in)
Start of mission
Launch dateJune–July 2022
(3 launches) (planned)[1][2]
RocketRocket 3.3
Launch siteCape Canaveral SLC-46
ContractorAstra Space
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit (planned)
RegimeLow Earth Orbit
Altitude600 km
Inclination30.00°
Period95.00 minutes
Instruments
Microwave radiometer
Earth System Science Pathfinder [3]
 

Mission overview

TROPICS will perform very frequent measurements, similar to X-rays, that cut through the overall cloud-cover to see the storm's underlying structure. The storm structures known as the eyewall – tall clouds, wind and rain around the eye – and rainbands – the rainy parts of the spiral arms – give us clues about whether a storm is primed to intensify into a category 4 or 5 storm, something everyone in their path needs to know.[8]

TROPICS will consist of six 3U size CubeSats, each about 10 × 10 × 36 cm (3.9 × 3.9 × 14.2 in) and weighing just 5.34 kg (11.8 lb),[9] that use scanning microwave radiometers to measure temperature, humidity, precipitation and cloud properties.[6] The CubeSats will be launched into three separate orbital planes to enable the overall constellation to monitor changes in tropical cyclones as frequently as every 21 minutes.[7] Each CubeSat will host a high-performance radiometer scanning across the satellite track at 30 RPM to provide temperature profiles using seven channels near the 118.75 GHz oxygen absorption line, water vapor profiles using 3 channels near the 183 GHz water vapor absorption line, imagery in a single channel near 90 GHz for precipitation measurements, and a single channel at 206 GHz for cloud ice measurements.[4] The investigation was selected from NASA's third Earth Venture Instrument competition.[7][3]

Goddard Space Flight Center is the NASA Center leading the mission.[10]

TROPICS Pathfinder CubeSat

The TROPICS Pathfinder CubeSat mission, consisting of a single CubeSat, was approved by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) Program Office in order to demonstrate the technologies planned for use on TROPICS in advance of the constellation's launch.[11]

TROPICS Pathfinder CubeSat was launched on 30 June 2021 via SpaceX's Transporter-2 rideshare mission on a Falcon 9 launch vehicle.[12]

References
  1. Clark, Stephen (28 April 2022). "Launch Schedule". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  2. "NASA Awards Launch Service Contract for TROPICS Mission to Study Storm Processes" (Press release). NASA. 26 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. "Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP)". NASA. Retrieved 13 October 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. "Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS): Mission Overview". MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Retrieved 13 October 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. "TROPICS". NASA Earth Science DISASTERS Program. NASA. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. "EVI-3 Investigation Summary: Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS)" (PDF). NASA. September 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. "NASA Selects Instruments to Study Air Pollution, Tropical Cyclones". NASA Earth. NASA. 10 March 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. "Small Satellites for Earth Science". NASA GSFC. 7 November 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  9. "The TROPICS CubeSat". NASA. 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  10. "Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS)". MIT. 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  11. "Momentus Awarded NASA TROPICS Pathfinder Mission". Momentus Space (Press release). CISION PRWeb. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  12. Foy, Kylie (30 June 2021). "Pathfinder Satellite Paves Way for Constellation of Tropical-storm Observers". NASA. Retrieved 22 September 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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